Apparatus for drawing fibers.



W. SCHEWELIN.

APPARATUS FOR DRAWING FIBERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-6.1912.

1 1 8 1 ,92@. Patented May 2, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W; SCHEWELIN.

APPARATUS FOR DRAWING FIBERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6. 1912.

1. 9 1 1 ,98@ Patented May 2, 1916 4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Wt L n (2550.9.

W. SCHEWEUN.

APPARATUS FOR DRAWING FIBERS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.6. 1912.

Patented May 2, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- W.- SCHEWELIN.

APPARATUS FOR DRAWING FIBERS.

APPLICATKON FILED AUG.6, I912.

, Patented May 2,1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4- III) Wl/L/mssm.

WLADIIVIIR SGH'EWELIN, OF MOSCOW, RUSSIA.

APPARATUS FOR DRAWING FIBERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rammed May a, rare.

Application filed August 6, 1912. Serial No. 713,618.

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, WLADIMIR SCHEWE- LIN, a subject of the Emperor of Russia, residing. at Moscow, Russia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in vApparatus .for Drawing Fibers, of which "the following is a specification. V, The so-called cotton, woolen and other wastes, form a textile material, the fibers Surate with the properties of the fibers undertreatment. If the drawing of the slubbing be increased, the yarn either breaks or else thin distorted places or faults are formed therein, these faults becoming the more noticeable as the difference between the length of. the fibers forming the lap increases, that is to say, the less uniform the length of the fibers in the lapm. When flax fibers are (dry) spun in waste frames intended .for spinning cotton fibers, the irregularity and imperfection of the yarn in the sense referred to are still furthen intensified, and at the same time other circumstances adversely affecting the spinning process arise, in consequence of the special properties of the flax. Thus, it has been found impracticable to make a No. 3 (English system of numbering) yarn from, fine (chemically improved) flax fibers on a Platt waste-spinning frame, even in an irregular condition. On the other hand the applicant has succeeded in producing a higher count than No. 16 of sufficient evenness, fro n lap of the same kind and in the same machine. This favorable result is obtained by means of a new type of drawing frame, based on an improved principle of draft which the applicant has devised. 3

The drawing frames hitherto known (for dry spinning) are intended for drawing sliver composed of uniformly long fibers. The distance between the points at which two adjacent pairs of drawing rollers grip the sliver for the purpose of drawing same, corresponds to the length of the fibers in the sliver, or is a little greater than same. The resistance offered by the sliver or slubbing to the action of drawing at difierent sections of its length does not vary to any considerable extent and is more or less uniform, so that the drawing of such a sliver or slubbing can be effected with corresponding regularity. The case is however, different with the more or less twisted slubbmg produced in machines for treating waste. This material forms a mixture, in varying proportions, of cotton fibers g to the normal length, whereas flax slubbing from the same machine consists of fibers 5.25 cm. to .75 cm. long; and in both cases the individual fibers no longer occupy a mutually parallel position. The resistance offered by this waste slubbing varies considerably in the different sections since the thicker portions contain a very large quantity of very short fiberswhich offer a very low resistance to drawing. Such a composition and the characteristic properties of the waste slubbingespecially when consisting of short flax fibers-prevent a more or less regular yarn of any higher count than No. 8 from being produced in drawing frames of known types.

In order to obtain better and more reliable results in making yarn from a slubbing or sliver consisting of fibers of irregular length, the applicant has invented (a) a new process or system of drawing the sliver or slub hing, and which forms the subject of a separate application for United States Letters Patent and (1)) new types of drawing apparatus for carrying out the process. The

present invention is concerned only with the types of drawing frames for carrying out the new process.

To enable the invention to be fully understood it is necessary to describe the new process, which presents the following characteristics: The sliver from the waste machines or from machines which treat fibers of the characteristic typical length or a slubbing-independent of the composition of same,of fibers of equal or unequal length mixed in any proportions, is subjected to a continuous drawing action on the smallest possible sections of its length, so that the distances between the points at which the sliver or slubbing is gripped for the purpose of drawing shall be as small as possible, or at any rate, contrary to the gen eral rule, shorter than the length of the fibers under treatment, provided the sliver or slubbing consists of fibers of equal length, and shorterthan the lengths of the shorter or predominating fibersinthe sliver or lubbing, in the event of the fibers being of unequal length; in the apparatus conv cordingly. This system of holding structed according to the present invention the material is held against the surfaces of the feed and drawing rollers by means of a yieldable gripping device or clamp consisting of at least two rollers of a small diameter less than that of the feed or drawing rollers, said device being an independent portion of the machine and capable of removal without dismantling the drawing machine. Thesesmall diameter rollers are interchangeably mounted and are provided with adjustable yielding springs for altering the pressure exerted on the material. The feed and drawing rollers or one of them are covered with an elastic materialand auxiliary pressure rollers may be used to press the material upon the feed and drawing rollers and may be combined with the clamping devices. By employing rollers of different. diameters, in the clamping de vice and adjusting the space between them the length of material upon which the drawing action actually takes place may be varied and may be made extremely short. The

most effective length of section over which the drawing should take place is determined by the length of the fibers under treatment and the material of the surface of the rollers, the apparatus being adjusted acthe sliver or slubbing does not prevent the fibers from slipping inside the same, and therefore the longer fibers, the length of which is greater than the length of the section under pressure, can be drawn without be ing broken, and thus form as it were the axis or core of the yarn; by holding the sliver or slubbing at both ends in the manner described over a certain sectional length of same, and by drawing it in short sectional lengths, a more complete straighten ing of the fibers is attained, the parallelism of the fibers, which was impaired during the doubling process or destroyed during carding or condensing at the same time being restored. The co-eflicient of draft, that is to say the ratio of the difference between the final length of the drawn slubbing and the original length of same (before the drawing commenced), may be distributed uniformly over all the drawings, or is re duced in each successive drawing.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show diagrammatically suitable apparatus for carrying out the process according to this invention. Fig. 4 is a plan view, and Fig. 5 is a front view of one form of drawing frame adapted to be arranged as shown in either Figs. 1 or 2. Figs. 6 and 7 are details of same and Fig. 8 is a side view. Fig. 9 is a front view and Fig. 10 is a side view of one form of draw- Fig. 11 shows a detail of same. Fig. 12 is a part sectional side .view and Figs. 13 and 14 are plan views of a device for use with mule and self acting frames, enabling various operations to be carried out according to the present invention.

In these drawings the arrangement according to the first type (Fig. 1) consists of two or more rollers 1 l to which a rotary motion in one and the same direction is imparted by any known means. The cylindrical surfaces of the rollers are made of india rubber, leather, or other materials capable of producing great friction. The rollers are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, then the roller 1 serves to feed the sliver or slubbing and the roller 1 to deliver the same. A higher peripheral velocity is imparted to the roller 1 than to the roller 1 and therefore when the rollers 1 l are rotated the sliver or slubbing arranged in accordance with Fig. 1, will move in the corresponding direction, and in passing from the surface of the roller 1 to that of the roller 1 will be subjected to an increased velocity, that is to say a drawing so soon as the lap applies itself closely to the surface of the rollers 1 1 The material is held against these surfaces by the pressure of the rollers 6, 7 which reyolve freely and form a gripping or clamping device. A free space of 1 to 2 mm. is left between the surfaces of the rollers 6, 7. In drawing a slubbing of cotton, flax waste, or other usual material a diameter of 3 to 5 mm. is chosen for the rollers 6 and 7 whereas in the case of drawing frames for cotton the diameter is 5 to 12 mm. In treating other material these dimensions depend on the length of the fibers in question. The diameter of these clamping rollers 6 and 7 together with the size of the space between them determines the extent or sectional length over which the drawing action is exerted on the sliver or slubbing. With a diameter of 3 mm. for the rollers 6, 7 and a space of 1 mm. between them, the draft affects a length of 45 mm. of the material. The rollers 11, 12, 13 serve to press the sliver or slubbing against the surface of the rollers 1 1 A larger number of rollers may also be used for this purpose, the smaller number of same being located on the side of the roller 6 and the larger number on that of the roller 7. Further, a roller 3 under which the slubbing or sliver is introduced through an eye 5 presses upon the roller 1 The axes 2 2 of the rollers 1 and 1 can be moved closertogether or separated, so as to enable the rollers 6 and 7 to be adjusted to the desired distance from the line a 1) connecting the axes 2 2 without interrupting the pressure. If the material issuing from the last roller, 6. g. 13, is to be twisted, the spindle, or device for that purpose, must be adjusted in such a manner that the yarn 14 forms a continuation of the tangent at right angles to the line c d connecting the centers of the axes of the roller'l and of the pressure roller 13. If the material is to be drawn again, the apparatus described is provided with another roller 1 with axis 2 and also a set of rollers 6, 7, 11, 12', 13 the arrangement and functions of which are identical with those of the rollers 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13. The slubbing or sliver from the surface of the roller 1 is led under the rollers 11, 6, 7, 12 and 13 and is then subjected to twisting. The roller 1 receives a greater peripheral velocity than the roller 1 The second type of. drawing apparatus (Fig. 2) represents a modification of the first one. The rollers 1 and 1 and the rollers 6 7 11 12 13 and 3 have functions similar to those of the corresponding rollers of the first type. The difference consists in (1) that the rollers 1 1 are rotated in mutually opposite directions (the one for instance, clockwise and the other anti-clockwise), (2) that the rollers 11 and 6 press the material against the surface of the roller 1 on one side of the line a 7) connecting the axes 2 2 while the rollers 7 12 13 press said material against the surface of phe roller 1 on the other side of the same The third type of drawing apparatus, Fig. 3, consists of a single drawing roller 1 and a clamping device comprising a plate 6 having two rollers 7 11 of small diameter thereon. The roller 7 is adapted to press the sliver or slubbing 14 against the surface of the roller 1, the roller 11 pressing said material against the plate 6 Auxiliary pressure rollers 12*, 13 are provided as shown. When the roller 1 is turned, for example in a clockwise direction, the material 1 moves in the direction of the arrow and passes through the eye 5 and then over the surface of the plate 6 which is'arranged over the roller 1 in such a manner that the entering end of the material 14 is approximately parallel to the line'connecting the centers of the first roller 7 and roller 1 The end of the plate does not extend quite up to the surface of the roller 1 The material is drawn under the rollers 7 and 12 and in the event of thematerial 14 not being pressed against the surface of the plate 6 by the roller 11, said material passes through without being drawn. Drawing begins as soon as the material 14 is pressed against the surface of the plate 6 by the roller 11. The drawing is effected on such portion of the material 14 as lies between the end of the plate 6 and the point where it is gripped by the roller 7 If the end of the plate be 1-13; mm. thick and the diameter of the roller 7 be 4 mm. the length of material that will be subjected to the drawing action will be about 4 mm. The eye 5 that is to say the opening for'the passage of the material has a diameter corre-' sponding to the thickness of said material. Drawn into the eye 5 by the drawing roller, the material traverses the same unless checked by any thickened portion, the drawing action however, causing said thickened portion to be drawn out until of a suitable size to pass through the eye. Under the roller 11 the material is subjected to a similarly compensating action. 'Accordingly this third type of drawing apparatus acts as a regulator of the thickness of the mate-. rial the diameter of the eye 5 and the width of the space between the roller 11 and the surface 6 acting as a gage for the lap.

Fig. 4 illustrates one form of drawing apparatus which can be adapted for use according to the types shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The apparatus (Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8) consists of a casing 18 on the longitudinal sides of which are situated side frames 19 and 20 ,,/\vit11 openings for the passage of the shafts 2 2 and flange pieces 24, shaped as shown. Between the frames 19 and 20 are mounted a feed roller 1 and a drawing roller 1 adapted to rotate on the shafts 2 2 by which they are carried. The surfaces of these rollers are faced with a layer of elastic material 71 such as cloth, leather, rubber or the like, capable of producing a considerable amount of friction. The shafts of the rollers pass through the walls of the casing 18". If the drawing apparatus is to act as an independent machine, pinions of desired dimensions are mounted on the shafts 2 and 2" which pinions transmit the motive power to the apparatus. If, however, the apparatus merely forms part of a spinning frame, then its shafts are geared in any convenient manner with some rotating part of the spinning frame. The side frames 19 and 20 are provided with slots 23, 23", in which are inserted the ends of. the shafts of the clamping rollers 6 7 and the' auxiliary pressure rollers 11 12?", 13 The said rollers have a diameter of 3 to 8 mm. Drawbars 2-5 25 are mounted on both ends of the shaft of each roller, and

pass through openings in the pieces 24*. The ends of the drawbars are provided .with threads, above which are arranged spiral springs 22 22 and nuts 21 21 By tightening up the nuts the rollers are pressed against the surface of the feed and drawing rollers, the shafts 9*" 10 15 16 17 sliding in slots 23", 23 as in guides. These slots, are arranged above the peripheries of the two drawing rollers and extend radially in the direction of the centers of the rollers as far as the periphery of the same as shown. When both the feed and drawing rollers rev lve in the same direction for example 28 to which'is secured a drawbar with an eye (or two eyes) 27 through which the material is led under the rollers 11 6 7 12", 13 is passed. Since the distances between the points of application of the pressure of the rollers 6 and 7 are smaller in' the position represented in Fig. 1 than according to Fig. 2 it is thus possible, on one and the same apparatus, to treat a sliver or slubbing both with very short fibers (when the rollers are arranged on the one side only) and with very long fibers (when the rollers are arranged on both sides).

The apparatus above described operates in the following manner: The material is inserted in the eye 27 and is then led under the rollers 11*, 6 7 12 13 The drawing roller 1 which runs at a higher peripheral velocity than the feed roller 1 exerts a drawing action on the material 14, which issues, in a drawn condition. The strength of the pressure with-which the material is forced against the surface of the rollers l and 1 is adjusted and controlled by means of the nuts 21 21 WVith the rollers 11 6 7 12 13 and the material arranged as shown in Fig. 1 and in consequence of the said rollers receiving their motion from the moving surfaces of the rollers 1 and 1 that side of the material which is in contact with the rollers 11 6 7 ,12 13 is somewhat retarded in its movement in comparison with the other side of the material which is carried forward by the sur faces of the rollers 1 1 and which overruns the first side for the additional reason that it forms the exterior, bending side whereas the former constitutes the inner, bent side. In this wayfirhe material is not merely subjected to a drawing action, but, in addition, the side next the drawing rollers is also caused to slip or overrun the side next the pressure rollers. Owing to this circumstance the number of defective thin distorted places is lessened.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 illustrate one form of drawing apparatus of the third type according to this invention. This arrangement which enables a lap or sliver to be drawn by means of a single drawing roller, consists of a casing 30, inside which is arranged, the drawing roller 31, the shaft 32 of which passes through openings in the long sides of the casing 30. The drawing roller is faced with rubber, or some other elastic material capable of generating considerable friction. If the apparatus is intended to act as a separate machine, a suitable n1embersuch as a pinion or belt pulley-for receiving the motive power is mounted on its shaft 32; but if the apparatus forms part of a combined spinning frame then the drawing roller is driven from said spinning frame in any suitable manner. The two long sides of the casing 30 are provided with slots for holding a plate 33 calrying the clamping rollers 34, 35. The lower edge of the plate, which is preferably rounded off, has a thickness of J; mm. Instead of being rounded off the plate may have a roller 35' mounted on the edge of same (see Fig. 11). The roller 35 is mounted in slots at the edge of the plate. Drawbars 36 provided with screw threads and with spiral springs 37 and nuts 38 are secured to the plate 33. These drawbars pass through openings in the board 39 which is secured to the two long sides of the casing 30. By

adjusting the nuts the plate 33 can be moved toward'the surface of the drawing roller 31 similarly moving the roller 35. The surface of the roller 35 projects toward the side of the drawing roller 31 in such a manner that the thin end of the plate 33 cannot come-in contact with the surface of the roller 31 when the roller 35 is pressed against the latter. Projections 40 are provided on the under part of the plate 33, between which projections is mounted, so as to be a little above the roller 35, the pressure roller 34. The spindle of the pressure roller 41 is carried in slots 42 in the long sides of the casing. Drawbars 43 with nuts 44 and springs 45 therein are provided for adjusting the pressure of the roller 41, upon the surface of the drawing roller 31. The projections 40, of the plate 33 are provided with grooves 46, in which is inserted a plate 47 provided with an opening ror the passage of the sliver or slubbing 14. The plate 47 is changed in accordance with the count of the slivers or slubbings to be treated. This drawing apparatus can act in two ways (a) for equalizing the thickness of the sliver or slubbing previous to drawing, and (Z2) directly for the purpose of producing a moderate draft, while at the same time equalizing the thickness of the sliver or slubbing.

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a device for use with mule and self-acting frames and enabling various operations to be carried out in accordance with the present process. The shafts 48, 49 of the drawing rollers 50, 51 the surfaces of which are faced with elastic material, are mounted in the bearings 52, 53. The upper gripping or pressure rollers now in use are dispensed with, and are replaced by two to six rollers such as clamping rollers 54, 55, and a series of auxiliary pressure rollers 56. 57. 58, 59, (according to the task to be performed) of smaller diameter and with corresponding shafts 59, 60, 61, 62, 63. These shafts are carried in yokes 6 65 (separate yokes for each pair of shafts) to which are secured in any convenient manner rods 66 which pass through openings in each of the two top pieces 67. These top pieces 67 are secured to the frame or casing 68 in any convenient manner. A rubber buffer or spiral spring 69, is placed in each of the openings in the top pieces 67, and a screw 70 bears upon same provided with lock nuts 71. By turning these screws the pressure of the rollers 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 upon the surface of the rollers 50, 51 can be adjusted. In the present instance, as in all the drawing apparatus described above, the interposition of buffers or springs 69, is necessary for obtaining a more uniform pres sure of the rollers 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 against the elastic surface of the drawing rollers. The described type of drawing apparatus is intended for drawing either wet or dry fibers of equal or unequal lengths from 10 to 30 mm. and in all said types the rollers are of the usual lengths. These types are intended for use, on the one hand, as component elements of spinning frames on a manufacturing scale, and on the other hand as independent machines, in combination with spinning or twisting devices in home or other industries.

NVhat I claim is 1. In apparatus for drawing fibrous material of short fibers of equal or unequal length, clamping means including a series of detachable yielding clamping devices for regulating the length of material over which drawing action takes place, said devices being capable of removal without dismantling the machine.

2. In apparatus for drawingfibrousmaterial of short fibers of equal or unequal length, clamping means including two rollers forming detachable yieldable clamping devices for regulating the length of material over which drawing action takes place, and means for regulating the pressure eX- erted by said clamping devices.

3. In apparatus for drawing fibrous material of short fibers of equal or unequal length, a feed roller, a drawing roller, sheathings of elastic material on said rollers, two rollers of a diameter less than that of the feed and drawing rollers interchangeably mounted and forming a detachable clamping device for pressing the material against the surfaces of the feed and drawing rollers and means for regulating the pressure exerted by said clamping device.

4. In apparatus for drawingfibrous material of short fibers of equal or unequal length, a feed roller, a drawing roller, sheathings of elastic material on said rollers, two rollers of a diameter less than that of the feed and drawing rollers interchange ably mounted and forming a detachable clamping device for pressing the material against the surfaces of the feed and drawing rollers, means for regulating the pressure exerted by said clamping device-and an auxiliary pressure roller of small diameter also acting on the material.

5. In apparatus for drawing fibrous material of short fibers of equal or unequal length, a feed roller, a drawing roller, sheathings of elastic material on said rollers, two rollers of diameter less than that of the feed and drawing rollers interchangeably mounted and forming a detachable clamping device for pressing the material against the surfaces of the feed and drawing rollers, draw bars carrying said small diameter rollers, adjustable springs on said drawbars and auxiliary pressure rollers of small diameter also acting on the material.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WLADIMIR SCHEWELIN. Witnesses:

CHR. ERFURT,

A. W. SMITH. 

